From The Wall Street Journal:Intelligence officials are warning that the deepening global financial crisis could weaken fragile governments in the world's most dangerous areas and undermine the ability of the United States and its allies to respond to a new wave of security threats.
U.S. government officials and private analysts say the economic turmoil has heightened the short-term risk of a terrorist attack, as radical groups probe for weakening border protections and new gaps in defenses. A protracted financial crisis could threaten the survival of friendly regimes from Pakistan to the Middle East while forcing Western nations to cut spending on defense, intelligence and foreign aid, the sources said.
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My Comment:Tthe biggest risk in any economic downturn is the impact that it will have on our allies. Pakistan is an example of this. Economic mismanagement, corruption, a collapsing currency and stock market .... these factors have helped to destroy Pakistan's middle class, fueling poverty and resentment. Al Qaeda and the Taliban .... by blaming others for what i
U.S. government officials and private analysts say the economic turmoil has heightened the short-term risk of a terrorist attack, as radical groups probe for weakening border protections and new gaps in defenses. A protracted financial crisis could threaten the survival of friendly regimes from Pakistan to the Middle East while forcing Western nations to cut spending on defense, intelligence and foreign aid, the sources said.
Read more ....
My Comment:Tthe biggest risk in any economic downturn is the impact that it will have on our allies. Pakistan is an example of this. Economic mismanagement, corruption, a collapsing currency and stock market .... these factors have helped to destroy Pakistan's middle class, fueling poverty and resentment. Al Qaeda and the Taliban .... by blaming others for what i
Read more ....
My Comment:Tthe biggest risk in any economic downturn is the impact that it will have on our allies. Pakistan is an example of this. Economic mismanagement, corruption, a collapsing currency and stock market .... these factors have helped to destroy Pakistan's middle class, fueling poverty and resentment. Al Qaeda and the Taliban .... by blaming others for what is a Pakistan problem .... has helped to give people the excuse that they are looking for. In turn, extremist groups are able to tap into this sense of victimization and being exploited.
For the west, economic turmoil distracts us from not focusing on defense and security related issues. Money is spent on a jobs program .... instead of a network that monitors email traffic between countries or any other valuable defense related program. Its all a question of resources, and the fact that they are limited. This limitation results in decisions being made .... decisions that we may regret in the future.
My Comment:Tthe biggest risk in any economic downturn is the impact that it will have on our allies. Pakistan is an example of this. Economic mismanagement, corruption, a collapsing currency and stock market .... these factors have helped to destroy Pakistan's middle class, fueling poverty and resentment. Al Qaeda and the Taliban .... by blaming others for what is a Pakistan problem .... has helped to give people the excuse that they are looking for. In turn, extremist groups are able to tap into this sense of victimization and being exploited.
For the west, economic turmoil distracts us from not focusing on defense and security related issues. Money is spent on a jobs program .... instead of a network that monitors email traffic between countries or any other valuable defense related program. Its all a question of resources, and the fact that they are limited. This limitation results in decisions being made .... decisions that we may regret in the future.